We then advanced our lines in compact order, close up to these finished intrenchments, overlapping them on our left.

From various parts of our lines the houses inside of Atlanta were plainly visible, though between us were the strong parapets, with ditch, fraise, chevaux-de-frise, and abatis, prepared long in advance by Colonel Jeremy F.Gilmer, formerly of the United States Engineers.
McPherson had the Fifteenth Corps astride the Augusta Railroad, and the Seventeenth deployed on its left.

Schofield was next on his right, then came Howard's, Hooker's, and Palmer's corps, on the extreme right.

Each corps was deployed with strong reserves, and their trains were parked to their rear.

McPherson's trains were in Decatur, guarded by a brigade commanded by Colonel Sprague of the Sixty-third Ohio.